Russo's Coal-Fired Italian Kitchen vs Happy's Pizza Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Russo's Coal-Fired Italian Kitchen vs Happy's Pizza including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Russo's Coal-Fired Italian Kitchen Franchise
Happy's Pizza Franchise
Investment $295,000 - $750,000$336,500 - $608,000
Franchise Fee $49,500$35,000
Royalty Fee 7%1.5K/mo
Advertising Fee 2%Up to 1%
Year Founded 19921996
Year Franchised 19982007
Term Of Agreement 10 years+5-
Term Of Agreement 10 years+5-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Russo's Coal-Fired Italian Kitchen Franchise
Happy's Pizza Franchise
Experience No Restaurant experience necessary but helpful Minimum financials are $175K to $400K in investment capital and a $600K to $1.0MM net worth-

Financing Options
 
Russo's Coal-Fired Italian Kitchen Franchise
Happy's Pizza Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees -/Yes-/-
Start-up Costs -/Yes-/-
Equipment -/Yes-/-
Inventory -/Yes-/-
Receivables -/--/-
Payroll -/Yes-/-

Training & Support
 
Russo's Coal-Fired Italian Kitchen Franchise
Happy's Pizza Franchise
Training 8 Week GM & Key Supervisor Training and Certification

While each of our stores undergoes Happy's classic build out, operators gain admission to The University of Happy's Pizza. After 30-45 days of training in our corporate kitchen and 60-90 days of in-store management training at an open location, graduates are completely groomed for success. Once a store is open, our support staff helps you with marketing, inventory control, staffing, prep and food updates.
Support -

Site selection, lease negotiations assistance, equipment, fixture, signage and inventory suppliers and even construction standards and assistance. In addition to this, once a new store begins operations, Happy's Pizza provides all stores with an operations manual, continuous updates of our specifications and process and operational advice and assistance by telephone and Internet.
Marketing -

We are one of the only restaurants with a toll-free vanity number and we know how to use it. 800 BE HAPPY. Our in-house ad agency will customize individual marketing plans for every store. It starts with coming soon banners, job fairs and a big grand opening push. Once operations are running smoothly, we turn up the marketing machine with TV. Radio, direct mail, mobile and on-line promotions connected with our growing social web presence.

Operations On site pre and post opening training and operational support with quarterly QA Visits.-

Expansion Plans
 
Russo's Coal-Fired Italian Kitchen Franchise
Happy's Pizza Franchise
US Expansion -Yes
Canada Expansion -Yes
International Expansion --

Company Overviews

About Russo's Coal-Fired Italian Kitchen

Using the family recipe for hand-tossed dough, the sauce made from fresh-crushed California tomatoes, and imported Italian cheese blends, Anthony became the sole owner and chef of his first restaurant Russo’s Pizza in the early 80’s. "It was 800 square feet. I had a pizza oven, a dough mixer and two tables. That's it. I could only sit eight people.” A few years later, he created Anthony’s Pizzeria, located in Clear Lake, Texas, and soon moved to Houston.

For almost a decade, Anthony refined his menu using classic Italian family recipes and zeroed in on the perfect New York-style pizza. In 1992, Russo’s New York Pizzeria opened in downtown Houston, Texas and proved to be a success.

 
Russo's Restaurants is a national and international franchisor of the fast casual and casual dining brands Russo's New York Pizzeria and Russo's Coal-Fired Italian Kitchen. Based in Houston, Russo's Restaurants are composed of a mix of corporate and franchised locations across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, Florida and Hawaii. Russo's has entered international markets as well, with locations in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. There are an additional 20-plus units in development both in the United States and internationally. Chef Anthony Russo has created his concepts from years of applying his unique, family recipes featuring New York-style pizza along with a broad variety of handcrafted pasta creations, calzones, salads, sandwiches, soups and desserts, reflecting his commitment to his New York roots where food and family come first.

About Happy's Pizza

On a busy corner in Detroit, the first Happy's Pizza opened its doors. Not only was the pizza a hit, our barbeque ribs, fried chicken and seafood created a huge demand. Almost immediately, Happy's Pizza's popped up every 6 miles from each other in Detroit and we didn't stop there. We are now delivering more than just great pizza all over Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, San Diego and Las Vegas. When customers think of Happy's Pizza a few things come to mind. These include: Only the freshest high-quality ingredients being used to prepare their final dining selection. Finding a delicious dining option for each member of their family! Fresh in-house dough, sauces, ribs and other products made each day. Happy's Pizza's commitment to superior customer services standards. Our classic Happy's Pizza restaurant design has become an icon throughout the Midwest. Happy's prototypical exterior conveys an image of quality and consistency. Decorated in granite, ceramic tile and neon, the interior works hard to extend the brand. Our construction department assists with floor plans, site elevations, sign and kitchen equipment packages.
 
Happy's Pizza boasts not only a huge menu selection but also unbeatable prices. With promotion-oriented materials and programs for all our franchisees, backed by comprehensive operations, proprietary training, demographic research and shrewd business strategy, our franchisees enjoy an unparalleled level of support as they grow their own business - and dough - from the ground up!